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Ginger Howard Sets Her Sights on Q School

For Ginger Howard, breaking barriers is the norm. At 17-years-old, Howard was the youngest African American woman in the world to win her first tournament and become a professional golfer.

Since then, Howard has gone on to win various awards and achievements, including an EBONY Power 100 award and a leadership award from the African American Golf Digest Magazine.Howard has spent the last several years on the Symetra Tour. The tour is the LGPA Tour’s developmental golf tour for professional women golfers and qualified amateurs.

The road to the tour is challenging, with various fees appearing almost daily. “Tour life is expensive. The cost of gas, airfare, hotels and food adds up,” Howard told BGG.

With multiple entry fees, some reaching as high as $500, things can get expensive. “ As you can imagine, this can get difficult when we professional golfers don’t have a good week and miss the cut,” she said.

Things are even more costly for Howard as she has her own caddy. “Not every week am I able to find private housing and not all private housing allows a caddy,” she said. “Those weeks can definitely be a grind since I’m seriously living on a budget. From hotel expenses to finding a place to eat every day for every meal is also an added expense.”

Last year’s golf fees were more than $11,000 for Howard. The organization Sisters Across America has been a big help for the golfer, as they fund many of her tournament fees. In addition, fans have donated gift cards and gas cards to help with expenses.

As Howard begins another promising year, she is hoping that once again she can receive help to pay for travel and competition expenses.

“Every little bit such as that goes a long way and is always tremendously appreciated,” she said.

Donations for Howard’s 2018 fees are currently being accepted at gofundme.com/qschoolgingerhoward. Donations are taxed 5% when transferred to her bank account. As of the date of this article, Ginger was only halfway to her goal. Please consider a donation of any amount.